Purple Carrot-seed Moth
EN

Purple Carrot-seed Moth

Depressaria depressana

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depressaria_depressana

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Purple Carrot-seed Moth faces severe population decline primarily due to the loss of its specialized host plants in the Apiaceae family, particularly wild carrot and related umbellifers. Agricultural intensification and habitat fragmentation have eliminated many of the flower-rich meadows and grassland margins where both the moth and its larval food plants historically thrived. Climate change is altering the timing of plant flowering cycles, potentially disrupting the moth's carefully synchronized breeding patterns with its host species.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Purple Carrot-seed Moth inhabits flower-rich grasslands, meadows, and woodland edges where wild carrot and other Apiaceae plants flourish. Adults are typically found in areas with abundant nectar sources, while larvae develop specifically on the seeds and flowers of umbelliferous plants.

Other threatened species in Depressariidae

Powdered Flat-bodyVU

Powdered Flat-body

Agonopterix curvipunctosa

Unknown
Agonopterix broennoeensisVU

Agonopterix broennoeensis

Unknown
VU

Twin-spot Flat-body

Agonopterix bipunctosa

Unknown
Agonopterix hypericellaVU

Agonopterix hypericella

Unknown

Threatened in Åland Islands

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
Scarce BlackneckCR

Scarce Blackneck

Lygephila craccae

Unknown
EN

knopphodeedderkopp

Walckenaeria nodosa

Unknown
EN

Dolichopus notatus

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Purple Carrot-seed Moth classified as Endangered?
Purple Carrot-seed Moth is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. The Purple Carrot-seed Moth faces severe population decline primarily due to the loss of its specialized host plants in the Apiaceae family, particularly wild carrot and related umbellifers. Agricultural intensification and habitat fragmentation have eliminated many of the flower-rich meadows and grassland margins where both the moth and its larval food plants historically thrived. Climate change is altering the timing of plant flowering cycles, potentially disrupting the moth's carefully synchronized breeding patterns with its host species.
Where does Purple Carrot-seed Moth live?
Purple Carrot-seed Moth occurs in Åland Islands, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, and Estonia (plus 24 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Purple Carrot-seed Moth?
The main threats to Purple Carrot-seed Moth are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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